BLOODY LOVE'S
Chapter 41's

Jose turned the page to confirm the date and year the article was created: 28 September 1890. More than thirty years ago.

Jose closed the book, returned one more book he had not read to the shelf, then brought the other to the officer who was standing guard behind the counter. A young woman. His age was probably in his twenties. Her curly brown hair was paled high at the end of the head.

“Hey,” Jose threw a sweet smile. He put the book he brought to the table, reading the title on the dark brown cover. “I want to borrow Clipping Events in Bjork. Terms?”

The woman—name card attached to her chest named Nina— smiled at Jose as fast as lightning, then said stiffly, “Sorry, that archive can not be taken home. Can only be read in place.”

Jose sighs. “Come, Miss Nina, borrow one day just can't?”

Nina's lips twitched slightly in a smile when she heard her name called. But he shook his head and pointed behind Jose, then whispered, “The rules are so.”

“Yeah, then what about my job?” Jose rubbed his front hair lazily.

“You can come and work on it here.”

“Of course I would come here, every day instead,” Jose turned his face to the door and pretended to be timid when he said, “If only knew from a long time ago, the attendant was this pretty.”

“What?” Nina opened her eyes wider behind her clear lens.

“Nothing,” said Jose quickly, back staring at the book he brought. He whispered in a full tinge of conspiracy, “Borrow one week is okay, huh? No one will know, really. After all, who would read a clipping like this?”

“You.” Nina smiled.

“Yes, except me. Don't put me in the count.” Jose laughed a little. He glanced at Nina's bright gray eyes. “You always work here? I've never seen you.”

“Of course you didn't see me, this is your first time in Archive Center, right?” reply Nina agile.

“Eeh, how do you know? Do all the visitors always you notice one-on-one?”

“No, but a fussy one like you is new this time.”

Jose laughed again. “Do you always work alone? If in the city library, there are usually four people guarding.”

“One was sick, the other two made coffee in the back. Wh why? You want to try to seduce them?”

“Are they as sweet as you?”

Nina who laughed. He puts his hand on Jose. “This is his.”

“You flanked?”

“Cubers cap. If I hadn't let you borrow it, you'd have been babbling all day, right?”

Jose smile. He gave me an archive book that he would borrow. “You are truly a helper goddess,” she said with admiration.

“I owe you my life,” whispered Jose.

“Yes, yes, go and spread your life to others. Don't forget to return it when I'm on my own.”

“And when exactly?” Jose received the book proffered to him.

Nina thought for a moment. It seemed he was unsure as his slender hand immediately reopened the desk drawer, then took out a pink slip of schedule paper. He traced the blue line of the box, then looked at Jose with a faint smile. “Three days left. That means Thursday. Three o'clock in the afternoon.”

“Jam three pm.” Jose nodded. “I'll be back in time.”

“It's better so.” Nina squinted her sharp eyes. “Sini, provide business card and collateral money.”

Jose took out a wallet, but immediately closed it and put it back in his pocket. He sees Nina looking at him suspiciously and urgently, making Jose realize that the girl must be anxious in case the other archivists come and see her borrow a book that should not be borrowed.

Jose stuffed his hand into his pants pocket, taking out a chain clock that could pull out a melody if opened. His family's emblem is engraved there.

“My name is Argent,” he said, smiling when he saw the girl's eyes round wide in surprise. The name Argent is clearly well known in this city. Thanks again to Marco.

which “A-Argent?”

“There are indeed how many Argent in this city?” Jose shrugged his shoulders. He put his chain clock on the table, then gave Nina another smile. “My name is Jose Argent. I will return this book in time.”

Nina frowned as she reached for the chain clock decorated with the Argent family crest. He gulped, then stored the object into his large bag placed behind his back. “Alright, Mr. Argent,” he said while linking both hands on the table. Now Nina's face turned back into the face of a formal officer. “I have received the guarantee. Your arrival will always be welcome, see you again another day.”

Nice form of expulsion, thought Jose amusedly. He nodded briefly, then immediately walked away after saying his thanks once more.

Jose walked out of the building with somewhat running steps. When he saw his watch, he found that the clock was nearing four o'clock. Tea time is long over. In four hours, the patrol police will have removed the people from the street.

When he got home, the first thing Jose did was sneak into the room without anyone knowing. It was an easy thing because sneaking was one of his best abilities.

At first he insisted on staying in the west wing room, but his mother was still pushy and Jose took pity on the workers who were forced to stand guard in front of his room. So since last night Jose has moved to the east wing of the house. Instead of stables, he could see the greenhouse from the window of his room. Several servants walked in and out of the greenhouse door in graceful movements, letting Jose know that his family must still be there, chatting after having tea.

He immediately locked the door and closed the window of his room. After making sure everything was safe, Jose took out the book from inside the paper wrap and reopened the eighteen page.

The photo is still there. Picture of Marco holding scissors. Right behind his uncle, slightly obstructed by his high hat, was a portrait of someone passing by. His face was facing to the left, looking resolute and mysterious.

Jose gulped, realizing that he was not wrong. The one who was seen there was indeed the man who had recently come to Bjork. It was the face of Sir William. Jose frowned. He stared at the photo over and over again, trying to convince himself. Jose was wrong. Even though he had only met William a few times, he clearly did not misunderstand.

The face of that person did not change at all. The one who was accidentally photographed there was indeed William.

***